Meet Jhonny Delgado | CEO, Co-founder, & Bitcoiner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jhonny Delgado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jhonny, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never set out to be an entrepreneur or “my own boss.” It all unfolded organically. After years in corporate jobs, I realized I was just a replaceable number, no matter how high I climbed. That lack of fulfillment pushed me to explore roles and activities I genuinely enjoyed or wanted to learn more about.
The spark for Delgado’s Fuego came from my father’s hot sauce, a crowd favorite at family gatherings like his July 4th birthday parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Friends and family kept asking for bottles of their own, beyond just a taste at these events. After leaving my corporate job, I started dabbling in local markets, something I’d briefly explored in my last role. It was less about business and more about spending quality time with my dad, who’s incredibly social but faces language barriers that limit his interactions.
We began setting up a hot sauce table at local breweries, just to hang out and share his creation. The feedback was phenomenal, and what started as a fun father-son hobby grew into Delgado’s Fuego. Now, it’s evolving into something much bigger, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, hot sauce is my art. It’s not just about heat—it’s about enhancing flavors with a kick that complements food. I’ve always been surrounded by creativity, from booking shows for bands at venues like Tremont Music Hall in my high school days to collaborating with artist friends who invite me to share Delgado’s Fuego at events and ventures around Charlotte. I love live music, art, and the energy of creative communities, and I bring that passion into my craft.
Starting Delgado’s Fuego wasn’t about becoming an entrepreneur—it was about bonding with my dad and sharing his incredible hot sauce with the world. I wasn’t even a big hot sauce fan at first; I rarely ate it and still avoid anything too fiery. What sets us apart? It’s our focus on flavor over fire and our commitment to helping others, even competitors, succeed. I thrive on collaboration and community, not competition.
The journey hasn’t been easy. Running a business while constantly creating—new flavors, labels, ads—is a grind. There’s been plenty of trial and error, and unexpected challenges always pop up just when you think you’ve got it all figured out. The key is resilience: get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. I’ve learned to embrace change, stay positive, and believe anything is possible. If someone else has done it, I know we can too.
I’m most proud of how Delgado’s Fuego reflects my family’s love and strength. My parents, especially my mom Aurora, are the heart of this venture. I want the world to know that family is my foundation—friends, money, and material things come and go, but family is forever. That’s what drives Delgado’s Fuego and what keeps us pushing forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charlotte’s energy comes from its people, music, and flavors, and I’d craft a week-long adventure to show my best friend the Queen City through my lens—family-inspired food, live music, and the creative spirit of neighborhoods like Belmont, Plaza Midwood, and NoDa. Here’s the itinerary, packed with spots that make Charlotte shine.

Day 1: Arrival & Plaza Midwood Kickoff
Afternoon: Land in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte’s eclectic hub. Grab lunch at Papi Ricko Kitchen and Lounge (3600 South Blvd), a Latin American spot with bold Mexican dishes like the chicharron sandwich that echo my family’s love for vibrant flavors.

Evening: Head to Petra’s (1910 Commonwealth Ave) for live music—maybe their Monday Night Jazz Session or Wednesday karaoke. It’s a divey, welcoming spot with a $9 | 8,375 sats beer-and-shot deal, perfect for diving into Charlotte’s creative scene.

Why: Plaza Midwood’s artsy vibe sets the stage, and Petra’s is a music lover’s haven.

Day 2: NoDa & Artistic Energy
Morning: Explore NoDa, the arts district. Check out The Exchange at 36th for Mo’ Betta Thursdays if it’s a Thursday, a jazz, blues, and soul jam session, or browse local galleries and boutiques.

Lunch: Hit Yunta Nikkei (2201 South Blvd) in South End for Peruvian-Japanese fusion, like tiger’s milk ceviche, a nod to my dad’s Peruvian roots.

Evening: Catch a show at Evening Muse (3227 N. Davidson St), a cozy venue for indie or folk acts. Pair it with drinks at The Hobbyist (2100 N. Davidson St), where Friday jazz nights keep the vibe alive.

Why: NoDa’s creative pulse and live music reflect the artistry I pour into Delgado’s Fuego.

Day 3: Belmont Neighborhood & Community Vibes
Morning: Stroll through Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood, just north of Uptown, near Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Grab coffee at a local spot and check out Bloom & Bottle (1001 Belmont Ave), a wine and floral bar with a chill patio vibe.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ace No. 3 (1001 Belmont Ave), known for Charlotte’s best build-your-own burgers, per Charlotte Magazine. If there’s a local market, we’d set up a Delgado’s Fuego table to share our hot sauce and hang with the community.

Evening: Play retro arcade games at Super Abari Game Bar (1015 Seigle Ave), a Belmont staple with 35 pinball machines and 60 arcade games, plus PBR drafts and homemade Hot Pockets from Duke’s Bread.

Why: Belmont’s walkable, quirky spots like Ace No. 3 and Super Abari embody the community spirit I love.

Day 4: South End & Speakeasies
Morning: Explore South End’s murals and breweries. Start with coffee at Not Just Coffee (2000 South Blvd).

Afternoon: If there’s a Bitcoin meetup (check meetup.com for June 2025 events), we’d join my crypto friends at Camp North End to nerd out.

Evening: Drinks at Bruno Cocktail Bar (118 E. Kingston Ave), a sleek South End speakeasy with yuzu-jalapeño vodka cocktails. Later, try Supperland’s hidden speakeasy (1212 The Plaza) for a themed tasting menu if we’re feeling fancy.

Why: South End’s mix of modern and hidden gems like Bruno shows Charlotte’s cool, evolving scene.

Day 5: Music & Markets
Morning: Check Charlotte On The Cheap or Eventbrite for local markets. If Birdsong Brewing (1016 N. Davidson St) hosts a craft market, we’d set up our hot sauce table, sip brews, and vibe with locals.

Afternoon: Lunch at Alicia’s Kitchen (6301 South Blvd) for authentic Peruvian dishes like bistec a la pobre—juicy steak, fries, plantains, and a fried egg. It’s a taste of my heritage.

Evening: Catch a concert at The Fillmore (820 Hamilton St) or Amos’ Southend (1423 S. Tryon St), checking Songkick for June 2025 lineups.

Why: Markets and music are where I connect with Charlotte’s heart—its people.

Day 6: Outdoor & Relaxed
Morning: Hit the Whitewater Center for biking or hiking, grabbing food truck bites.

Afternoon: Food crawl at Optimist Hall (1115 N. Brevard St) for sushi, butter chicken, or gelato—a foodie paradise.

Evening: Chill drinks at Workman’s Friend (1531 Central Ave) in Plaza Midwood, where Sunday live Irish music (6-9 p.m.) feels like family.

Why: Balancing adventure and laid-back vibes shows Charlotte’s range.

Day 7: Farewell & Connection
Morning: Brunch at Sorellina Pasta (2907 Selwyn Ave) in Plaza Midwood for fresh pasta and focaccia—a perfect send-off.

Afternoon: Join a warehouse party or pop-up with my artist friends (check Queen City Nerve for June 2025 listings) to dance and soak in Charlotte’s creative scene.

Evening: End at Comet Grill (2224 Park Rd), a dive bar with local musicians and spontaneous jams.

Why: Charlotte’s people make any spot unforgettable, and a dive bar farewell feels like home.

What Makes It Special: Charlotte’s magic is in its community—my family, friends, and artists dement. I’d check Songkick or Charlotte Observer for events like Taste of Charlotte (June 6-8, 2025) or Durag Fest in mid-June to catch live music and Black creatives. Delgado’s Fuego is about family, flavor, and connection, and I want my friend to feel that warmth in every moment here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give the biggest shoutout to my mom, Aurora Delgado. While she’s not out front at the markets with us, she’s the foundation of Delgado’s Fuego. From being our toughest taste tester to offering unwavering encouragement, support, and love, she’s the glue holding this venture together. There were moments when my dad, Oscar, and I hit rough patches and considered shutting it all down, but Mom’s patience and belief in us kept us going. Her example teaches me daily how to tackle challenges with grace. Without her, Delgado’s Fuego wouldn’t be what it is today—or what it will become in the future. She deserves all the credit.

Website: https://delgadosfuego.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delgadosfuego/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77824711

Twitter: https://twitter.com/delgadosfuego

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Weputdafuegoinfire

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@delgadosfuego7540

Other: https://www.threads.net/@delgadosfuego

@delgadosfuego

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